Self-medication: A current challenge

Abstract

Self-medication is a global phenomenon and potential contributor to human pathogen resistance to antibiotics. The adverse consequences of such practices should always be emphasized to the community and steps to curb it. Rampant irrational use of antimicrobials without medical guidance may result in greater probability of inappropriate, incorrect, or undue therapy, missed diagnosis, delays in appropriate treatment, pathogen resistance and increased morbidity. This review focused on the self-medication of allopathic drugs, their use, its safety and reason for using it. It would be safe, if the people who are using it, have sufficient knowledge about its dose, time of intake, side effect on over dose, but due to lack of information it can cause serious effects such as antibiotic resistance, skin problem, hypersensitivity and allergy. There is need to augment awareness and implement legislations to promote judicious and safe practices. Improved knowledge and understanding about self-medication may result in rationale use and thus limit emerging microbial resistance issues. Articles which were published in peer reviewed journals, World Self-Medication Industry and World Health Organization websites relating to self-medication reviewed.

Self-Medication Practices Among Health Care Professional Students in a Tertiary Care Hospital, Pune

“…Use of medication without medical guidance is inappropriate because using insufficient dosages or incorrect or unnecessary drugs increases wastage of resources, resistance of pathogens, drug dependence and causes serious health hazards such as adverse reaction and prolonged suffering [3]. Antimicrobial resistance is a current problem worldwide particularly in developing countries where antibiotics are often available without a prescription [4].…”

Assessment of Self Medication Practices Among Community People

“…Although responsible self-medication have their own benefits such as reduce the cost of treatment, travelling time as well as doctor's time i.e., consultation time, they also bring with serious disadvantages such as wastage of resources, increased resistance of pathogens and causes serious health hazards such as adverse reaction overdose, drug interactions, misdiagnosis and prolonged suffering [1].…”

Self-medication in Children and Young Patients at University Dental Service

“…Self-medication is used to treat signs and symptoms selfdiagnosed [3]. There are several sources for self-medication: sharing of prescription with members of the family or social circle, reusing leftovers, use of previous prescriptions etc.…”